Berry grader and cleaner.



No. 633,527. Patented Sept. I9, I899. w.v $.MIDDLEBROOK.

BERRY GRADER AND CLEANER.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 189B.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

{No Model.)

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No. 633,527. Patented Sept. I9, I899. W. S. MIDDLEBROOK.

BERRY GRADER AND CLEANER.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1898.)

8 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

{No Model.) 32

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC \VILLIAM S. MIDDLEBROOK, OF MIDDLESEX, NEW YORK.

BERRY GRADER AND CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,527, dated September 19, 1899.

Application filed November 1, 1898. Serial No. 695,151. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM S. MIDDLE- BROOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middlesex, in the county of Yates and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Berry Grader and Cleaner, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved grading and cleaning machine particularly designed for handling evaporated or dried berries that are gathered by berry-harvesters; and it has for its object the provision of new and useful means for separating the berries into several grades, while at the same time thoroughly cleaning the fruit by removing therefrom sticks, dirt, and other trash. In carrying out this object the invention contemplates novel means of effecting a separation between the several grades of berries, in combination with devices for securing a proper adjustment of the separating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel distributing-pan for evenly distributing or feeding the bulk of berries to the separating mechanism, in combination with a cleaning fan or blower arranged in the most eifective position.

With these and other objects in view,which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

lVhile the essential or characteristic features of the invention are necessarily susceptible to modification, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a berry grader and cleaner constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the frame or framework, showing the interior parts in elevation. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of the entire machine. Fig. 4: is a detail elevation showing the main driving connection for the two separatingaprons. Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of the laterally-vibrating distributing-pan and the supporting and operating connections therefor.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the main casing of the machine, built within a suitable exterior framework 2 and which may be provided at opposite sides thereof with the slide members 3, mounted in suitable guides and formsides 6, connected at suitable points by cross pieces 7, which complete a frame structure for housing therein the endless separatingaprons 8, running longitudinally of the carrier-frames from end to end thereof.

The endless separating-apron S in each of the separate carrier-frames at and 5 is formed of an endless belt, of canvas or equivalent material, to the inner surface of which is fitted a series of transverse regularly-spaced apronslats 9, and over each apron 8, within the frames at and 5, is stretched a continuous apron-covering 10, of nappy material, such as wool or cotton, the nappy surface of said apron-covering serving to catch and hold the berries with stems, as well as sticks and other trash, which it is desirable to separate from the different grades of the berries.

The endless separating-apron Sin the upper carrier-frame 4.- is arranged to pass over the oppositely-located apron-rollers 11 and 12, whose shaft extremities are journaled in the sides 6 of the carrier-frame, and the shaft extremities of the upper apron-roller 11 are extended through the sides of the machinecasing 1 to form a pivotal support for the upper end of the carrier-frame 4-. On one shaft extremity of the upper apron-roll 11, exterior to the machine-casing, is mounted an operating-crank 13, adjacent to which is located a pulley 14:, which serves to communicate motion to a belt 15, passing over a pulley 16 on one of the exterior shaft extremities of the upper apron-roller 17 for the lower separating-apron within the carrier-frame 5. The shaft extremities for the upper apron-roller 17 for the lower separating-apron also serve as a pivotal support for the upper end of the frame 5, while within the lower end of such frame is mounted the lower apron-roll 18. From the connections described it will be seen that a movement of the crank 13 in one direction simultaneously moves both of the separating-aprons Sin the same direction, the upper inclined portions or runs of said aprons moving in a direction toward the upper or high end of the frames 4 and 5.

To provide for the adjustable support of the unpivoted ends of the frames 4 and 5, each of such frames has attached to opposite sides thereof near its lower unpivoted end the oppositely-located supporting-straps 19. These supporting-straps are preferably made of flexible material, and the upper ends thereof are passed through openings 20 in the sides of the machine-casing 1 and detachably and adjustably engage with the fixed securing hooks or pins 21, projecting from the exterior sides of the machine-casing. The upper ends of said straps 19 are provided with a plurality of engaging openings 22 for engaging with the hooks or pins 21, whereby the inclination of the carrier-frames may be readily changed to suit the fruit being separated and to insure a proper operation of the machine.

The upper inclined carrier-frame 4 is provided for a portion of its length at one side thereof with an imperforate bottom feedboard 23, having at its upper end an upwardly-curved receiving-trough 24, extending partially around the upper end portion of the apron 8 within the frame 4 and serving to catch certain portions of the berries and direct the same onto the board 23. Said bottom feed-board 23 terminates short of the lower end of the frame 4 and is provided at a point intermediate the ends of said frame 4 with an inclined delivery-spout 25, lying directly above the lower separating-apron 8 and serving to direct portions of the fruit onto such apron. Immediately below the plane of the delivery-spout 25 the upper carrierframe 4 has journaled transversely thereof a revoluble doffing-brush 26, whose bristles work in contact with the nappycovering of the upper separating-apron, so as to clean the covering of dirt or other trash adhering thereto. The shaft extremities of the dotting-brush 26 are journaled in the side of the frame 4, and one of these shaft extremities has mounted thereon a pulley 27, receiving its motion from a crossed belt 28, driven from a pulley 29 on one of the shaft extremities of the apron-roller 12.

To provide for cleaning the nappy covering of the lower separating-apron within the lower carrier-frame 5, the latterhas journaled transversely thereof beneath the upper end portion of the apron therein a revoluble doffing-brush 30, one of the shaft extremities of which brush carries a pulley 31, receiving motion from a crossed belt 32, driven by the pulley 33 on one of the shaft extremities for the upper apron-roller 17. The doffing-brush for the lower separating-apron is arranged at a point above the discharge-chute 34, built within one end of the machine-casing below the upper or high end of the lower carrierframe and apron therein and serving as a discharge for the poor grade of berries. The good grade of berries are received from a discharge-chute 35, built within the end of the machine-casing opposite the chute 34, and are disposed in a plane directly below the lower end of the upper inclined carrier-frame 4.

The machine-casing 1 is provided at the top thereof with a hopper 36, having a bottom feed-opening 37, through which the herries pass and fall onto a laterally-vibrating distributing-pan 38. The distributing-pan 38 is of a less width than the machine-casing, so as to have a free play in a lateral direction, and said pan is open at one end and has fitted within such end and centrally between its sides an inwardly-projecting dividingblock 39. This dividing-block is of a triangular shape and has projected from each side of its base the laterally-projecting deflectingribs 40, which, in conjunction with the block 39, serve to spread the berries out toward both sides of the pan, and thereby evenly distribute the same onto the upper separatingapron, arranged beneath the pan.

The distributing-pan 38 is provided at opposite sides thereof with slide-openings 41,

receiving a stationary transverse hanger-rod 42, extending transversely of the machinecasing and providing a slide-support for the pan, and the rear edge of said pan has attached thereto a flexible supporting-trap 43, the upper end of which passes through an opening in the top of the casing and engages with a hook or pin 44. This flexible support permit-s the free lateral play of the pan, while at the same time providing means whereby the pitch or inclination of the same may be changed whenever necessary.

To provide for positively vibrating the distributing-pan in a lateral direction, alink is loosely connected to one side thereof and also to one arm of a bell-crank lever 46, pivotally supported on the exterior framework of the machine-casing. The other arm of the .bell-crank lever has attached thereto a pitman 47, which connects with a crankwheel 48, supported at one side of the machine-casing and carrying at one side thereof a pulley 49, over which passes a portion of the drive-belt 50, which receives motion from the pulley 51 on one of the shaft extremities of the upper apron-roller 11. The drive-belt also passes over a pulley 52 on one end of the fan-shaft 53, journaled transversely of the machine-casing at one end thereof. The fan-shaft 53 has mounted thereon an ordinary blast-fan or blower 54, housed within a circular fan-casing 55, provided with a tangential blast-spout 56, disposed in a plane above the upper carrier-frame 4c and designed to direct the blast of air against the upper separating-apron at a point directly beneath the feeding end or side of the distributingpan 38.

In the operation of the machine the good berries roll down the inclined surface of the upper separating-apron 8 into the dischargechute 35, while the remaining portion of the fruit is carried upward by the said apron and delivered onto the feed-board 23, from which the fruit falls through the spout 25 onto the lower separating-apron. The medium grade of berries roll down the lower separating-apron and fall into a suitably-arranged receptacle which may be provided for their reception, while the poor berries are carried up over the upper end portion of thelowerseparating-apron and delivered into the discharge-chute 34.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described grading and cleaning machine will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this in vention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

In a grading and cleaning machine, the casing, a pair of carrier-frames arranged at an inclination in the same direction, one above the other, the upper carrier-frame having an imperforate bottom feed-board provided at its upper end with an integral ex= tension curved partially around the upper end portion of theframe to form an upturned receiving-trough, said feed-board being provided at its lower end with a pendent deliw ery-spout located centrally above the lower frame, an endless separating-apron arranged within each of the carrier-frames and having a nappy covering, a suitable feeding device, and a doffing-brush arranged in the interval between said delivery-spout and the lower end of the upper frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM S. MIDDLEBROOK.

\Vitnesses:

WILLIAM E. MATHEWS, ERASTUS D. ADAMS. 

